ELS NGELS are real, heavenly beings, intensely interested in the plan of human redemp tion, and constantly employed in the service of God. We are not left in uncertainty regarding them. The Bible tells us what they are as well as what they are not. That they can not be the spirits of the dead, is shown conclusively by the facts presented farther on, in the chapter, "Is Death a Sleep?" Additional evidence will be found also in the chapter on "Modern Spiritualism." So we need not dwell upon it here in detail. Created Beings. Angels are created beings, made before the world was formed. Touching upon this point, the apostle Paul says, "For by Him [Christ] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers [different orders of angels]: all things were created by Him, and for Him." Col. 1: 16. From a reading of John 1:1-3, 10, it will be seen that the world and all it contains were created by Christ (the Word), for "all things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made." The angels are, therefore, created beings, necessarily of a lower order than their Creator. Christ is the only being begotten of the Father. Col. 1:16 takes us back into the unknown ages, before the world was formed, and tells us that all things, animate and inanimate, including the angels, were created by the word spoken by Christ. The text closes with the statement that "all things were created by Him, and for Him." And verse 17 adds, "He is before all things, and by Him all things consist." The earth and all the planets of the universe are held in place, and perform their circuits, by "the word of His power." The millions of heavenly angels owe their existence to His creative word. It is His hand that maintains the order of heaven, and directs the work of the vast hosts of heavenly messengers. In God's answer to Job, He says, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth, when the morning stars [the angels] sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" Job 38:4, 7. There was great rejoicing in heaven when the earth was made, and the angels were there to swell the anthem of universal praise to the Creator. The angels are many times mentioned in the Bible as intelligent, tangible, spiritual beings. They are similar to human beings in general appearance. They have body and parts, but are of a higher order than men. The psalmist says of man, "Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels." Ps. 8:5. Of the Redeemer the apostle testifies, "Verily He took not on Him the nature of angels [superior, heavenly beings]; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham" [the nature of man]. Heb. 2:16. On Probation. Angels, however, were placed on probation the same as man. This is evidenced by the fact that a vast host of them joined with Satan in his rebellion against God, and were cast out of heaven, thus ending their probation. See Rev. 12:7-9. When impious warfare was waged against the Son of God, the limit of forbearance was reached. The light of heaven was too clear, and fallen angels had stood too near the throne of God to allow of a return. Jude says that these evil angels who "kept not their first estate" are reserved "unto the judgment of the great day." Vs. 6. When the probation of the angels who remained true to the government of God should cease, we are not told. But they have watched with intense earnestness the awful results of the sin of rebellion. Never again can a question as to the justice and mercy of the government of God arise in the heart of any unfallen being. Of the finality of the "judgment of the great day,” as mentioned in Jude 6, we read, "He will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time." hum 1:9. REAL BEINGS. "The angels of God are not mere ghosts, or phantoms, as is generally taught: they are real, personal, material beings. This may be learned by almost every instance where they are mentioned in the Scriptures. Isaiah describes them as possessing a face, feet, wings, etc. : 'I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphim; each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, Na Never will there be another rebellion in the universe of God. Then will end the uncertainty of probation, and man, angels, and the inhabitants of the other worlds will be safe through all the ages of eternity. Tangible Beings. That angels are tangible beings is evidenced by many occurrences recorded in the Scriptures. In Genesis 18 is an interesting account of the hospitality of Abraham to three angels. As the patriarch was sitting in the door of his tent in the heat of the day, "he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him; and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door." He begged them to stop with him and accept his hospitality. He asked them to rest and refresh themselves, and he would prepare food for them, after which they might "pass on." And the three strangers replied, "So do, as thou hast said." "And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat." Gen. 18:6-8. This is a very realistic pen picture of patriarchal hospitality. By this kindly entertainment of these three unknown travelers, Abraham furnished an example for all future ages; and the apostle refers to it in his exhortation, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Heb. 13:2. by the fact that Jesus, after His resurrection, had flesh, and did eat. Luke 24: 36-43. After appearing to his disciples He said, 'Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; handle Me and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see Me have. "So also when the saints enter the kingdom, they will have flesh. Says Job, in speaking of the resurrection, And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.' Job 19:26. Mark that it is after he dies that Job will see God in his flesh. How long after? The previous verse will tell For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and [then] though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.' This proves that the saints, after their resurrection, will have flesh the same as Jesus had. Speaking of the new earth, where the saints will dwell, the Lord says, 'All flesh [shall] come to worship before me,' every Sabbath. Isa. 66: 23. Hence the saints will have flesh in the kingdom of God. So also we conclude that the angels are real, material beings, like Christ and the immortal saints."- Ministration of Angels. When Abraham pressed upon these strangers the hospitality of his camp, he had no thought of their heavenly character. "He had seen |
